MOGADISHU: Suspected Shebab militants stormed two hotels in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Friday, killing at least three people, security officials said, adding that three insurgents also died in heavy fighting.
"The terrorists were killed... we have confirmed three civilians dead at Weheliye hotel and the three attackers were killed too," said government security official Mohamed Guhad.
"There was a loud blast and explosions," said police officer Abdi Dhuhul, dding that the gunmen "stormed the building."
But Guhad, who said the gunmen were believed to be Shebab militants, said fighting continued in the nearby Siyaad hotel near the presidential palace and the well-guarded government district, where gunmen launched a simultaneous attack.
Both hotels are fortified and popular with government workers, including lawmakers from the parliament nearby.
Shebab insurgents have carried out repeated attacks in the area, and messages posted on websites close to the Al-Qaeda-linked group said the Islamists had carried out the hotel raids.
AFP
